File name producing apparatus that produces file name of image

ABSTRACT

An MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) is a file name producing apparatus that produces a file name of an image. The MFP selects a candidate character string, which is a file name candidate and in which a head character is a space, from the character strings extracted from the image. The MFP deletes the space that is the head character of the candidate character string, or changes all the characters constituting the candidate character string to other characters. The MFP produces the character string, which is corrected by the deletion or the change, as the file name of the image. Therefore, the proper file name can be produced.

This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-214616filed with the Japan Patent Office on Sep. 29, 2011, the entire contentof which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a file name producing apparatus thatproduces a file name of an image, and more particularly to a file nameproducing apparatus that can produce a proper file name.

2. Description of the Related Art

An electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes an MFP (MultiFunction Peripheral) provided with a scanner function, a facsimilefunction, a copying function, a function as a printer, a datacommunication function, and a server function, a facsimile machine, acopying machine, and a printer.

Nowadays, the image forming apparatus is widely spread in offices andhomes as a scanner, a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine,and a digital multi function peripheral, which include image readers.Some image forming apparatuses include an ADF (Auto Document Feeder)that supplies a sequence of documents to the image reader one by one.The image forming apparatus including the ADF can automatically supplythe documents including a plurality of sheets to the image reader one byone.

A file of an image (input image) of the document read with the imagereader is stored in a storage unit of the image forming apparatus. Inthe case where a user searches the file from the storage unit after thefile is stored, the user frequently determines whether the file is thefile to be searched from the file name. Therefore, desirably the filename reflecting a content of the file is added in storing the file ofthe input image.

As to a method for adding the file name of the input image, there is amethod in which the image forming apparatus automatically produces thefile name. According to the method for automatically producing the filename, the user can avoid a trouble of manually producing the file name.In the method for automatically producing the file name, for example,the image forming apparatus selects one character string from aplurality of character strings, which are extracted from the input imagethrough OCR (Optical Character Recognition) processing, and the selectedcharacter string is used as the file name of the input image. Throughthe OCR processing, a space between characters or character strings canbe output as a space character code. For example, Documents 1 and 2disclose technologies related to the file name producing processing andthe OCR processing.

In the technology disclosed in Document 1, character recognition isperformed to a given region (preset region) of the image, a size or acolor of the character or the character string, which is obtained by thecharacter recognition, is determined, and the character having apredetermined size or color is used as the file name of the image file.

In the technology disclosed in Document 2, document image data isobserved in a unit of line, a range where the characters are continuedbetween the spaces is extracted as a character phrase, a starting point,a middle point, and an ending point of the character phrase are detectedin each extracted character phrase, and values of coordinates of arrayorders in the lines are compared and checked. In the technologydisclosed in Document 2, a string of the character phrase of the arrayorder is determined to be left-aligned when starting coordinates agreewith each other within an allowable range, the string of the characterphrase of the array order is determined to be centered when middlecoordinates agree with each other within the allowable range, and thestring of the character phrase of the array order is determined to beright-aligned when ending coordinates agree with each other within theallowable range.

-   -   [Document 1] Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-56315    -   [Document 2] Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 08-315069

When the image forming apparatus performs the OCR processing, desirablythe character is extracted while a layout of the input image is retainedas much as possible. Therefore, in the case where the OCR processing isperformed to the input image in which a distance between the charactersconstituting the character string is large, the image forming apparatusoutputs the character string in which one or at least two spaces (spacecharacter codes) are inserted between the characters.

On the other hand, sometimes the image forming apparatus outputs thecharacter string in which the space is inserted between the charactersdue to the mistaken recognition of the character string even when thedistance between the characters constituting the character string isshort. As a result, unfortunately the image forming apparatus insertsthe unnecessary space in the file name, and therefore the file name ofthe input image becomes unsuitable (an unintended file name of theuser).

Particularly, in the case where the character string that becomes acandidate of the file name is located in a photographic region of theinput image or a shaded background, the mistaken recognition of thecharacter string is easily generated to produce the unintended file nameof the user. In order to prevent the mistaken recognition, desirably theOCR processing is not performed to the photographic region of the inputimage, but the OCR processing is performed only to the character region.However, in the related art, the OCR processing is also performed to thephotographic region.

FIG. 8 is a view schematically illustrating the input image in which thephotographic region includes the character string. In FIG. 8, almost allcharacter strings are indicated by characters of “x” and “%”.

Referring to FIG. 8, the character string exists in each regionindicated by a dotted line in the photographic region. In the case wherethe OCR processing is performed to the character string, the imageforming apparatus easily performs the mistaken recognition of thecharacter string. Particularly, in the character string in a region A ofFIG. 8, the image forming apparatus frequently recognizes a headcharacter as the space. As a result, sometimes the character stringincluding the unnecessary head space is produced as the file name of theinput image.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a file name producingapparatus that can produce a proper file name.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a file nameproducing apparatus that produces a file name of an image, includes: acharacter string selector for selecting a candidate character stringfrom character strings extracted from the image, the candidate characterstring becoming a file name candidate, a head character being a space inthe candidate character string; a candidate character string correctorfor correcting the candidate character string; and a file name producingunit for producing the character string, which is corrected by thecandidate character string corrector, as the file name of the image,wherein the candidate character string corrector includes at least oneof a head character string deleting unit and a character string changingunit, the head character string deleting unit deleting a space that is ahead character from the candidate character string, the character stringchanging unit changing all characters constituting the candidatecharacter string to other characters.

The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of thepresent invention will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription of the present invention when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an image forming apparatusaccording to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a file name producing method of the firstembodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating file name producing processingperformed by an MFP 100 of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a file name producing method according toa second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating file name producing processingperformed by an MFP 100 of the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a file name producing method according toa third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating file name producing processingperformed by an MFP 100 of the third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a view schematically illustrating an input image in which acharacter string is included in a photographic region.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described withreference to the drawings.

In the following embodiments, the file name producing apparatus is animage forming apparatus by way of example. The image forming apparatusprovided with an image forming function may be an MFP, a facsimilemachine, a copying machine, or a printer. Instead of the image formingapparatus, for example, the file name producing apparatus may be anapparatus, such as a scanner (image reading device), which is notprovided with the image forming function.

In the following description, a space (space character code) incharacters obtained through OCR processing is expressed by “0”. As usedherein, the “space” means a gap that expresses separation between wordsor starting of a paragraph.

First Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 1, an MFP 100 according to this embodiment is providedwith a scanner function, a facsimile function, a copying function, afunction as a printer, a data communication function, and a serverfunction. MFP 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 51, a ROM(Read Only Memory) 53, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 55, an auxiliarystorage device 57, a network connection unit 59, a print processor 61,an image processor 63, a manipulation panel 65, an image forming unit67, an OCR processor 69, a scanner processor 71, and a scanner 73.

CPU 51 controls the whole of MFP 100. CPU 51 is operated by executingprograms, such as a file name producing program, which are stored in ROM53.

The program operating CPU 51 is stored in ROM 53.

Data and image data, which are necessary for CPU 51 to execute theprogram, are temporarily stored in RAM 55.

Auxiliary storage device 57 is a region in which box data for MFP 100 isstored. For example, auxiliary storage device 57 is constructed by anHDD (Hard Disk Drive).

Network connection unit 59 conducts communication with an externaldevice through Ethernet (registered trademark) or a USB. Networkconnection unit 59 uses a communication device (not illustrated) whentransmitting and receiving data to and from the external device on theWWW (World Wide Web) or a network.

Print processor 61 performs print processing of a document image andadditional information.

Image processor 63 performs adjustment of a character width, contrast,or a color combination of conversion of image data.

Manipulation panel 65 is a user interface that receives a user'smanipulation of MFP 100 or displays various pieces of information forthe user.

Image forming unit 67 mainly includes a toner image forming unit, afixing device, and a sheet conveying unit. For example, in image formingunit 67, an image is formed on a sheet by an electrophotographic system.The toner image forming unit is configured such that four color imagescan be combined by what is called a tandem system to form a color imageon a sheet (recording medium). The toner image forming unit includesphotosensitive bodies each of which is provided for C (cyan), M(magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black), an intermediate transfer belt towhich a toner image is transferred (primary transfer) from aphotosensitive body, and a transfer unit that transfers (secondarytransfer)) the image from the intermediate transfer belt to the sheet.The fixing device includes a heating roller and a pressurizing roller.In the fixing device, the sheet on which the toner image is formed isconveyed while nipped between the heating roller and the pressurizingroller, and the sheet is heated and pressurized. The fixing device meltsthe toner adhering to the sheet and fixes the toner to the sheet,thereby forming the image on the sheet. The sheet conveying unitincludes a sheet feed roller, a conveying roller, and a motor thatdrives the sheet feed roller and the conveying roller. In the sheetconveying unit, the sheet is fed from the sheet feed cassette, andconveyed in a chassis of MFP 100. The sheet conveying unit dischargesthe sheet on which the image is formed from the chassis of MFP 100 to asheet discharge tray.

OCR processor 69 extracts a character string from the image. Inextracting the character string, a character string that is separated ineach part of speech may be extracted, character strings in which fontsor sizes are identical to each other may be extracted as one characterstring, or a character string that is separated by a line feed or apunctuation may be extracted. OCR processor 69 may use a propercharacter string in the extracted character strings as a candidate ofthe file name.

Scanner processor 71 produces image data from an image (a document imageor an input image) of a document read from scanner 73.

In MFP 100, for example, scanner 73 reads the image from the document,and a file of a document image is stored in a box of auxiliary storagedevice 57. At this point, the file name of the document image isproduced by the following method. For example, MFP 100 causes OCRprocessor 69 to perform character recognition to the document image toextract the character string from the document image. MFP 100 selects acandidate character string, which is the candidate of the file name,from the extracted character strings. In the case where the space is ahead character of the candidate character string, MFP 100 corrects thecandidate character string by deleting the space that is the headcharacter from the candidate character string, or by changing all thecharacters constituting the candidate character string to othercharacters. MFP 100 produces the corrected character string as the filename of the image. The detailed file name producing method of the firstembodiment will be described below.

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating the file name producing method of thefirst embodiment. In FIGS. 2, 4, and 6, a part of characters included inthe document image is expressed by a black circle, a rectangle, or atriangle.

Referring to FIG. 2, in the OCR processing, in the case where a blankbetween the characters or character strings is recognized, sometimes theblank is extracted as the space character code. In FIG. 2( a), thecharacter string of “ESTIMATE SHEET” is centered in an upper portion ofthe document image. The left blank of the character string is extractedas the space character code through the OCR processing. As a result, thecharacter string of “estimate sheet” in the document image is extractedas the character string of “□ESTIMATE□SHEET” through the OCR processing.

It is assumed that MFP 100 selects the character string of“□ESTIMATE□SHEET” as the candidate character string from the characterstrings extracted through the OCR processing. In this case, MFP 100deletes the space that is the head character from the candidatecharacter string, and produces the post-deletion character string of“ESTIMATE□SHEET” as the file name.

There are well known technologies of selecting the candidate characterstring from the character strings extracted through the OCR processing.For example, the candidate character string can be selected based on afont size, a color, or a position of the character string. It is onlynecessary that the candidate character string include at least onecharacter (including a symbol and a numerical character).

In the file name producing apparatus of the related art, the characterstring selected as the file name from the extracted character string isdirectly produced as the file name without correction. However, the headspace in the file name is not necessary from user's standpoint.Therefore, MFP 100 deletes the space that is the head character from thecandidate character string, and produces the post-deletion characterstring of “estimate sheet” as the file name.

Similarly to the document image in FIG. 2( a), in the document image inFIG. 2( b), the character string of “ESTIMATE SHEET” is centered with adistance between the characters. The left blank of the character stringand the blank between the characters are extracted as the spacecharacter code through the OCR processing. As a result, the centeredcharacter string of “ESTIMATE SHEET” is extracted as the characterstring of “□E□S□T□I□M□A□T□E□□S□H□E□E□T” through the OCR processing.

It is assumed that MFP 100 selects the character string of“□E□S□T□I□M□A□T□E□□S□H□E□E□T” as the candidate character string from thecharacter strings extracted through the OCR processing. In this case,MFP 100 deletes the space that is the head character from the candidatecharacter string, and produces the post-deletion character string of“□E□S□T□I□M□A□T□E□□S□H□E□E□T” as the file name.

In the case where the space is the head character of the candidatecharacter string, MFP 100 may produce the character string except thecandidate character string as the file name by changing all thecharacters constituting the candidate character string to othercharacters instead of deleting the space that is the head character fromthe candidate character string.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating file name producing processingperformed by MFP 100 of the first embodiment,

Referring to FIG. 3, for example, CPU 51 of MFP 100 scans the documentimage with scanner 73 to obtain the input image (S1). CPU 51 performsthe OCR processing to a whole surface of input image (S3), and outputsthe character or the character string as a result of the OCR processing(S5). CPU 51 selects the candidate character string from the extractedcharacter or character string (S7), and determines whether the headcharacter of the candidate character string is the space (spacecharacter code) (S9).

In step S9, when it is determined that the head character is the space(Yes in S9), CPU 51 receives user's selection which the candidatecharacter string or the character string except the candidate characterstring is used as the file name (S11). CPU 51 determines whether theuser selects the candidate character string as the file name (S13).

In step S13, when it is determined that the user selects the candidatecharacter string (Yes in S13), CPU 51 corrects the candidate characterstring by deleting the space that is the head character of the candidatecharacter string (S15). CPU 51 produces the post-deletion(post-correction) character string, in which the space that is the headcharacter is deleted, as the file name (S17). Then the processing isended.

In step S9, when it is determined that the head character is not thespace (No in S9), CPU 51 directly produces the candidate characterstring as the file name (S21). Then the processing is ended.

In step S13, when it is determined that the user selects the characterstring except the candidate character string (No in S13), CPU 51produces the character string except the candidate character string asthe file name (S19). Then the processing is ended.

The user's selection in step S11 may be eliminated. In this case, thesetting of which the candidate character string or the character stringexcept the candidate character string is used as the file name maypreviously be stored in ROM 53.

In the case where the space is the head character of the candidatecharacter string that becomes the candidate of the file name, probablythe image forming apparatus mistakenly recognizes the character stringincluded in the document image during the OCR processing to extract themistakenly-recognized character string as the candidate characterstring, or the space is mistakenly inserted in the document image.Therefore, probably the space is not required for the file name.According to the first embodiment, the proper file name can be producedby deleting the head space of the candidate character string or by theuse of the character string except the candidate character string.

Second Embodiment

The case where MFP 100 corrects at least two successive spaces includedin the candidate character string will be described in this embodiment.Since a configuration of MFP 100 is identical to that of the firstembodiment, the description is omitted.

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a file name producing method according toa second embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, a character string of “My name is KONICAMINOLTA” iscentered in an upper portion of each of the document images in FIGS. 4(a) to 4(c),

The left blank of the character string is extracted as the spacecharacter code through the OCR processing. Because of the large distancebetween the words in the character string, the distance between thewords is extracted as the two space character codes. As a result, thecharacter string of “□My□□name□□is□□KONICAMINOLTA” is extracted.

It is assumed that MFP 100 selects the character string of“□My□□name□□is□□KONICAMINOLTA” as the candidate character string fromthe character strings extracted through the OCR processing. In FIG. 4(a), after deleting the space that is the head character from thecandidate character string, MFP 100 replaces at least the two successivespaces with the space of one character. As a result, MFP 100 producesthe character string of “My□name□is□KONICAMINOLTA” as the file name. InFIG. 4( b), after deleting the space that is the head character from thecandidate character string, MFP 100 deletes all at least the twosuccessive spaces. As a result, MFP 100 produces the character string of“MynameisKONICAMINOLTA” as the file name. In FIG. 4( c), after deletingthe space that is the head character from the candidate characterstring, MFP 100 deletes all the character strings subsequent to at leastthe two successive spaces in the candidate character string. As aresult, MFP 100 produces the character string of “My” as the file name.

The setting of which one of the methods in FIGS. 4( a) to 4(c) is usedto correct the candidate character string is previously stored in ROM53, and MFP 100 may decide the method for correcting at least the twosuccessive spaces according to the setting. MFP 100 receives the settingof which one of the methods in FIGS. 4( a) to 4(c) is used to correctthe candidate character string from the user, and may decide the methodfor correcting at least the two successive spaces according to thesetting received from the user.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating file name producing processingperformed by MFP 100 of the second embodiment.

The flowchart in FIG. 5 differs from the flowchart in FIG. 3 in thepieces of processing after step S15. In FIG. 5, the pieces of processingidentical to those of the flowchart in FIG. 3 are omitted. After theprocessing in step S15, CPU 51 of MFP 100 determines whether thecandidate character string includes at least the two successive spaces(S31).

In step S31, when it is determined that the candidate character stringincludes at least the two successive spaces (Yes in S31), CPU 51corrects at least the two successive spaces in the candidate characterstring by one of the methods in FIGS. 4( a) to 4(c) (S33). CPU 51produces the character string, in which at least the two successivespaces are already corrected, as the file name (S35). Then theprocessing is ended.

In step S31, when it is determined that the candidate character stringdoes not include at least the two successive spaces (No in S31), CPU 51produces the character string, in which at least the two successivespaces are already corrected, as the file name (S37). Then theprocessing is ended.

In the OCR processing, a layout of the document image is reproduced asfaithfully as possible. Therefore, in the case of the large distancebetween the characters constituting the candidate character string,sometimes at least the two successive spaces are inserted between thecharacters in order to retain the layout of the document image. Probablythese spaces are nor required for the file name. According to theembodiment, the proper file name can be produced by correcting at leastthe two successive spaces.

Third Embodiment

The case where MFP 100 corrects at least one of a first character stringdescribed in a first character type, a second character string describedin a second character type different from the first character type, anda space between the first character string and the second characterstring, which are included in the candidate character string, will bedescribed in this embodiment. Since a configuration of MFP 100 isidentical to that of the first embodiment, the description is omitted.

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a file name producing method according tothe third embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, the first character string of “ESTIMATE SHEET” andthe second character string of “20110701” are centered in an upperportion of each of the document images in FIGS. 6( a) to 6(d). Thecharacter strings are arrayed with a certain distance. The firstcharacter string and the second character string have differentcharacter types (for example, a font type, a font size, and a fontcolor), respectively. In FIG. 6, for example, the first character stringhas the font size of 20 pt, and the second character string has the fontsize of 9 pt.

The left blank of the first character string is extracted as the spacecharacter code through the OCR processing. Because of the large distancebetween the first and second character strings, the distance between thecharacter strings is extracted as the two space character codes. As aresult, the first and second character strings are extracted as thecharacter string of “□ESTIMATE□SHEET□□20110701”.

It is assumed that MFP 100 selects the character string of“□ESTIMATE□SHEET□□20110701” as the candidate character string from thecharacter strings of the document image, which are extracted through theOCR processing. In FIG. 6( a), after deleting the space that is the headcharacter from the candidate character string, MFP 100 replaces at leastthe two successive spaces between the first and second character stringswith the space of one character. As a result, MFP 100 produces thecharacter string of “ESTIMATE□SHEET□20110701” as the file name. In FIG.6( b), after deleting the space that is the head character from thecandidate character string, MFP 100 combines the first and the secondcharacter strings by deleting all the spaces between the first andsecond character strings. As a result, MFP 100 produces the characterstring of “ESTIMATE□SHEET20110701” as the file name. In FIG. 6( c),after deleting the space that is the head character from the candidatecharacter string, MFP 100 deletes all the character strings precedingthe space between the first and second character strings. As a result,MFP 100 produces the character string of “20110701” as the file name. InFIG. 6( d), after deleting the space that is the head character from thecandidate character string, MFP 100 deletes all the character stringssubsequent to the space between the first and second character strings.As a result, MFP 100 produces the character string of “ESTIMATE□SHEET”as the file name.

In the case where the candidate character string includes the firstcharacter string, the second character string, and the space between thefirst and second character strings, MFP 100 may produce the characterstring except the candidate character string as the file name bychanging all the characters constituting the candidate character stringinstead of correcting at least one of the first character string, thesecond character string, and the space between the first and the secondcharacter strings.

The setting of which one of the methods in FIGS. 6( a) to 6(d) is usedto correct the candidate character string is previously stored in ROM53, and MFP 100 may decide the method for correcting the space betweenthe first and second character strings according to the setting. MFP 100receives the setting of which one of the methods in FIGS. 6( a) to 6(d)is used to correct the candidate character string from the user, and MFP100 may decide the method for correcting the space between the first andsecond character strings according to the setting received from theuser.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating file name producing processingperformed by MFP 100 of the third embodiment.

The flowchart in FIG. 7 differs from the flowchart in FIG. 3 in thepieces of processing after step S15. In FIG. 7, the pieces of processingidentical to those of the flowchart in FIG. 3 are omitted. After theprocessing in step S15, CPU 51 of MFP 100 determines whether thecandidate character string includes the first character string describedin the first character type, the second character string described inthe second character type different from the first character type, andthe space between the first and second character strings (S51).

In step S51, when it is determined that the candidate character stringincludes the first character string, the second character string, andthe space between the first and second character strings (Yes in S51),CPU 53 receives user's selection which the candidate character string orthe character string except the candidate character string is used asthe file name (S53). CPU 51 determines whether the user selects thecandidate character string as the file name (S55).

In step S55, when it is determined that the user selects the candidatecharacter string as the file name (Yes in S55), CPU 51 corrects at leastone of the first character string, the second character string, and thespace between the first and second character strings (S57). Then CPU 51produces the character string, in which at least one of the firstcharacter string, the second character string, and the space between thefirst and second character strings is already corrected, as the filename (S59). Then the processing is ended.

In step S51, when it is determined that the candidate character stringdoes not include the first character string, the second characterstring, and the space between the first and second character strings (Noin S51), CPU 53 produces the character string, in which the space thatis of the head character is already deleted, as the file name (S63).Then the processing is ended.

In step S55, when it is determined that the user selects the characterstring except the candidate character string as the file name (No inS55), CPU 51 produces the character string except the candidatecharacter string as the file name (S61). Then the processing is ended.

In the case where the candidate character string includes the firstcharacter string described in the first character type, the secondcharacter string described in the second character type different fromthe first character type, and the space between the first and secondcharacter strings, probably meanings of the pieces of informationindicated by the first and second character strings differ from eachother. Therefore, in the case where the candidate character string isdirectly used as the file name, probably the candidate character stringis not suitable for the file name. According to the third embodiment,the proper file name can be produced by correcting at least one of thefirst character string, the second character string, and the spacebetween the first and second character strings.

According to the embodiments, the file name producing apparatus thatproduces the proper file name can be provided.

Others

In the second embodiment, MFP 100 may decide which one of the methods inFIGS. 4( a) to 4(c) is used to correct at least the two successivespaces based on the character types preceding and subsequent to at leastthe two successive spaces. For example, in the case where both thecharacters preceding and subsequent to at least the two successivespaces are alphabets, at least the two successive spaces may be replacedwith one space as illustrated in FIG. 4( a). The space between words isimportant for European languages, and desirably one space is left. Inthe case where one of the characters preceding and subsequent to atleast the two successive spaces is not the alphabet (for example, akanji character, a katakana character, and a hiragana character), atleast the two successive spaces may be deleted as illustrated in FIG. 4(b) or 4(c).

The pieces of processing of the embodiments may be performed by softwareor use of a hardware circuit. A program executing the pieces ofprocessing of the embodiments may be provided, or recording mediums,such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk, a hard disk, a ROM, a RAM, and amemory card, in which the program is recorded may be provided to theuser. The program is executed by computers, such as a CPU.Alternatively, the program may be downloaded to the apparatus throughcommunication lines, such as the Internet.

Although the present invention has been described and illustrated indetail, it is clearly understood that the same is by way of illustrationand example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation, the scopeof the present invention being interpreted by the terms of the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A file name producing apparatus that produces afile name of an image, comprising: a character string selector forselecting a candidate character string from character strings extractedfrom said image, the candidate character string becoming a file namecandidate, a head character being a space in the candidate characterstring; a candidate character string corrector for correcting saidcandidate character string; and a file name producing unit for producingthe character string, which is corrected by said candidate characterstring corrector, as the file name of said image, wherein said candidatecharacter string corrector includes at least one of a head characterstring deleting unit and a character string changing unit, the headcharacter string deleting unit deleting a space that is a head characterfrom said candidate character string, the character string changing unitchanging all characters constituting said candidate character string toother characters.
 2. The file name producing apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein said candidate character string corrector furtherincludes a successive space corrector for correcting at least the twosuccessive spaces included in said candidate character string when saidcandidate character string includes said at least the two successivespaces.
 3. The file name producing apparatus according to claim 2,wherein said successive space corrector includes a first successivespace corrector for replacing said at least the two successive spaces insaid candidate character string with one space.
 4. The file nameproducing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said successive spacecorrector includes a second successive space corrector for deleting allof said at least the two successive spaces in said candidate characterstring.
 5. The file name producing apparatus according to claim 2,wherein said successive space corrector includes a third successivespace corrector for deleting all of the characters subsequent to said atleast the two successive spaces except the head character in saidcandidate character string.
 6. The file name producing apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein said candidate character string correctorfurther includes a different character type corrector for correcting atleast one of a first character string described in a first charactertype, a second character string described in a second character typedifferent from said first character type, and a space between said firstcharacter string and said second character string when said candidatecharacter string includes said first character string, said secondcharacter string, and the space between said first character string andsaid second character string.
 7. The file name producing apparatusaccording to claim 6, wherein said different character type correctorincludes a first different character type corrector for replacing thespace between said first character string and said second characterstring with one space.
 8. The file name producing apparatus according toclaim 6, wherein said different character type corrector includes asecond different character type corrector for deleting all of spacebetween said first character string and said second character string. 9.The file name producing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein saiddifferent character type corrector includes a third different charactertype corrector for deleting all of characters preceding the spacebetween said first character string and said second character string.10. The file name producing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein saiddifferent character type corrector includes a fourth different charactertype corrector for deleting all of character subsequent to the spacebetween said first character string and said second character string.11. A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing a filename producing program for producing a file name of an image, saidprogram causing a computer to execute processing comprising the stepsof: a character string selecting step of selecting a candidate characterstring from character strings extracted from said image, the candidatecharacter string becoming a file name candidate, a head character beinga space in the candidate character string; a candidate character stringcorrecting step of correcting said candidate character string; and afile name producing step of producing the character string, which iscorrected in said candidate character string correcting step, as thefile name of said image, and said candidate character string correctingstep includes at least one of a head character string deleting step ofdeleting a space that is a head character from said candidate characterstring and a character string changing step of changing all charactersconstituting said candidate character string to other characters.